Large-scale Solar Auction
The ACT Government issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on 27 January 2012 to support the development of up to 40 megawatts of large-scale solar generation capacity in the ACT. The RFP was issued in relation to the competitive process (the auction) determined in Electricity Feed-in (Large-scale Renewable Energy Generation) FiT Capacity Release Determination 2012 (No 1).
Related Documents
- Electricity Feed-in (Large-scale Renewable Energy Generation) Act 2011
- Electricity Feed-in (Large-scale Renewable Energy Generation) FiT Capacity Release Determination 2012 (No.1)
The closing date for the lodgement of bids for pre-qualification in the Solar Auction was 10 April 2012. 49 proposals were received by the Solar Auction Secretariat, with 27 of these nominating for the fast-track stream of the assessment process.
Solar Auction Advisory Panel
A Solar Auction Advisory Panel has been appointed by the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development. The Panel will oversee the Solar Auction assessment process and make recommendations to the Minister, initially for those proposals considered eligible for prequalification and subsequently for the awarding of a feed-in tariff entitlement.
The Panel members are:
- Ross Bunyon (Chair), currently Non-Executive Chairman of Turner and Townsend (Australia), My Homepower Pty Ltd and a Member of the Federal Government Energy Security Council. Past roles include Chairmanships at Railcorp, Pacific Power, Pacific Power (International) Pty Ltd, Electricity Supply Association of Australia and Eraring Energy. He was also a member of the World Energy Council Executive Assembly.
- Michael Dureau (Deputy Chair), currently Deputy Chairman of The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, Chairman of the National Fuels and Energy Committee of Engineers Australia and an Adjunct Professor of Engineering at Sydney University. Past positions include Managing Director of ALSTOM Power, Chairman of Technical Committee of Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd, Chairman of RedR Australia and President of Australian Water Association.
- Michael Sargent, currently a Director of the Australian Energy Market Operator. Past positions include Chief Executive of Transfield Pty Ltd, Chief Executive Officer of ACTEW Corporation Ltd, Chief Engineer of SEQEB and membership of the National Grid Management Council.
- Bruce Godfrey, currently a Principal Consultant for Wyld Group and Chair of the Research Advisory Committee of the Australian Solar Institute Limited. Past positions include Managing Director of Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, General Manager and Managing Director for the Energy and Research and Development Corporation.
- Abrie Swanepoel, currently Director Economics Branch of the ACT Treasury Directorate. Former roles include Senior Manager of the Macroeconomic Analysis Unit at the ACT Treasury Directorate and Economist with the International Economy Unit at the South African Reserve Bank.
Background
With the release of the first tranche of capacity under the Act, industry has an opportunity to compete for establishment of up to 40MW of solar generation from large-scale facilities (minimum 2MW generating system capacity) located in the ACT.
The auction will:
- significantly contribute to the Territory’s greenhouse gas abatement targets;
- leverage economies of scale and location, provide financial security for developers and reduce solar energy costs; and
- enhance the clean energy industry in the ACT.
Contact details
Email SolarAuction@act.gov.au
